NIS Teams Up with Freestyle Football to Scout and Train Nigeria’s Young Talent
In a bold move to nurture grassroots sports and unleash the next generation of Nigerian athletes, the National Institute for Sports (NIS) has pledged to partner with the organizers of the Nigeria Freestyle Football Championship in training coaches and athletes nationwide.
Speaking at the grand finale held at Ikeja City Mall, Lagos, NIS Director General Comrade Philip Shaibu said the partnership aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes youth engagement, skills development, and economic empowerment through sports.
“What I saw today was more than just tricks and skills. It was creativity, discipline, and potential waiting to be harnessed,” Shaibu said. “We are committed to supporting these young athletes and their coaches, and to discovering untapped talent across Nigeria.”
Shaibu described freestyle football as a powerful tool for youth development, noting its ability to combine entertainment, athleticism, and cultural expression while creating pathways for employment and professional sports careers.
The championship, organized by Feet ‘N’ Tricks Limited, Africa’s leading promoter of freestyle football, attracted competitors from across the country, showcasing a new wave of sporting creativity. Valentine Ozigb, Chairman of the company, welcomed NIS’s involvement.
“Freestyle football has grown from a niche pastime into a national movement,” Ozigb said. “With NIS on board, we can now take this sport to new heights, train our coaches and athletes more systematically, and ensure that Nigeria’s youth get the recognition and opportunities they deserve.”
Predator Energy, the headline sponsor, lent further momentum to the event, which continues to energize the freestyle football scene across Nigeria and Africa.
The partnership signals a new era for grassroots sports development, where public institutions and private innovators work together to harness Nigeria’s youthful energy, creativity, and athletic talent.
“This collaboration is not just about sport,” Shaibu concluded. “It’s about giving Nigeria’s young people a platform to shine, to build careers, and to contribute meaningfully to our economy and society.”
With freestyle football gaining momentum, Nigeria’s next generation of athletes could soon turn passion into profession — and the NIS is determined to guide that journey.